International Overdose Awareness Day Rallies Area Treatment Providers and Prevention Activists

For Immediate Release September 16, 2016

Shore Behavioral Health participated in a local observation of International Overdose Awareness Day on Wednesday, August 31, 6-8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Methodist Church on Peach Blossom Road in Easton. This free event featured a host of community organizations whose representatives were on hand to educate community members about the increasing incidence of drug overdose and death in our region; mental health and substance abuse disorders; and prevention, support and treatment resources available in the Mid Shore region.

The first-time local observation of Overdose Awareness Day was organized by Valerie Albee, founder of Mariah's Mission Fund, and Jayne Fitzgerald, director of Talbot Partnership for the Prevention of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, with support from Recovery for Shore and its member organizations.

Those in attendance braved considerable heat (and a nonstop chorus of cicadas!) to chat with representative of participating organizations and to appreciate a special remembrance service, which began at dusk and featured speakers, poetry readings and music, and ended with a special balloon release commemorating family and friends lost to overdose.

The event kicked off the local observance of September as National Recovery Month, and participants are looking forward to a celebration of recovery, Recovery Happens - A Message of Hope, set for Saturday, September 17, 5-8 p.m., at Christ Church-Easton. That event is open to the community and free of charge.

At the close of the remembrance, Rick and Valerie Albee, founders of Mariah's Mission Fund, launched a balloon in memory of those lost to overdose.

Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble and Jay Frost, representing the Talbot County Health Department, were among those in attendance at the August 31 Overdose Awareness Event.